Major issues facing Pakistan

The distraction caused by political instability is a major issue Pakistan faces today. The political turmoil that began in 2021 has undermined effective governance, and internal strife has distracted leaders from focusing on the country’s most pressing security and economic challenges. The reference to May 9 and its continued politicization highlights how political forces exploit incidents for their own advantage, preventing a broader national focus on urgent matters like security and development. Serious and pressing concerns about the state of security, governance, and political stability in Pakistan, particularly in the context of its western borders, internal conflicts, and the fragile political environment are clearly visible. They highlight the interconnectedness of military engagement, political decision-making, and the implications of past actions, such as the rushed withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. The growing instability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Baluchistan, and Karachi points to systemic failures that have allowed forces hostile to the state to gain ground within Pakistan, exposing cracks in the border security framework and raising alarms about the overall security architecture. The rushed U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was a major error. The consequences, especially the release of thousands of militants from Pakistani jails, have exacerbated the internal security situation. This misstep, combined with the flawed strategic concept of strategic depth, which seeks to maintain influence in Afghanistan, continues to cloud decision-making. The reality of Afghanistan’s stance towards Pakistan suggests the necessity of moving beyond outdated strategies. This failure to manage the consequences of Afghanistan’s instability, combined with the undermining of border control, has led to the unfortunate scenario where the military finds itself engaged in a rear-guard fight within Pakistan’s own borders. The situation in KP, as described, is dire, with the military caught in an ongoing battle that exposes both regular and irregular forces to unpredictable and deadly encounters. The political landscape, especially since the events of May 9, remains a critical distraction. The political struggle between factions has prevented meaningful focus on the pressing security and governance challenges. The focus on political infighting, rather than on nation building and stability, has led to the erosion of trust in leadership at both national and provincial levels. The Chief Minister of KP’s role is particularly concerning; his focus on party politics rather than on his province’s governance responsibilities has exacerbated the problems. It seems clear that effective governance in KP, as well as Baluchistan, requires a shift away from political distractions and toward addressing the urgent issues of security, economic development, and political accountability. The call for a fair and transparent judicial process to address the aftermath of May 9 and to restore focus to governance is an important one. Without a resolution to these internal political battles, the nation will continue to be distracted from the larger security threats it faces. There is an urgent need for bold, decisive policies that prioritize the welfare of the people and the stability of the nation above short-term political gain. At the core, the message is clear: governance must focus on delivering essential services, securing borders, and addressing the economic and security needs of the people. Political agendas, which often create more division than unity, must be set aside to prioritize the nation’s collective future. Without such a shift, Pakistan’s ongoing internal struggles, be it in the form of militancy, political chaos, or governance failures, will continue to put at risk the nation’s stability and prosperity. There is an urgent need for decisive political and military action to confront the threats facing Pakistan. Governance should be the priority. We should not blame the military despite enduring the worst of security operations for the failures of governance, especially within a hybrid political structure.